Duct static pressure control



y 27, 1952 R. E. BAILEY DUCT STATIC PRESSURE CONTROL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1Filed Jan. 23, 1950 Re W70 E Bailey INVENTOR.

May 27, 1 R. E. BAILEY DUCT STATIC PRESSURE CONTROL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2Filed Jan. 23, 1950 INVENTOR. Mp4...

and

Patented May 27, 1952 I TED 'S TATES ire NT OFFICE Revilo Bailey, Tulsa.

lialftoJos eph-N. T

- Appliationflanuary 23, 1950, SerialN0. 140-;139

(cries-4s) :41 Claims. :1

This invention comprises 1 novel and; useful improvementsiin a duotstaticrpressurepcontrol and more specifically pertains; to an advantaeous-and improved-flow control valve for the ductsef air conditioningsystems and the like,

The primary object of this inventionto provide an 1 improved controlvalve for controlling flow inyductsfsuchas the duotsior air conditioming systems,- which shall-- beefi' -ectivefor regulating :the effectivecross sectional area of a duct with a minimum of deleterious eilectsuponthe flow-of air therein. I V

A 'further' object of the invention is to provide an improved regulatingvalve'lfor'duotsin eonforrnity with the io'regoing objeot Twhieh' shallin alLpositions and degrees of its duetconti'olling operation be adapted)to .attain the desired fiow or pressure cc' r'itrol 'in'jthe,ductiw'ith alminimum of harmful disturbanceidf -the 'fiuid'fiowthereth'rough v yet which may be easily. and. 'efieotively and extremelyj accurately adjusted in "its controlling effect. 7

AV stillj further object of the'ginvention is to provide an improvedcontrol valve iniconformitywith the foregoing objects wherein;- theoontrol valve 'sh'all be' of a nature to "beune'ffec'ted or i harmed by"th'e fiowof fluid-throug h the duet.

These, together with various ieatures and objectspf the inventionwhichwill ilater'b'ecome apparent as the following "descriptionproceeds, are attained by the present inventio'ng'a preferred embodimentof which has -bee'nQ illustrated by way of example only in theaccompanyin drawings, wherein; V

Figure 1 is -'a vertioal central lohgitudi-nal sectional :view i througha po'rtion of a' shee't 1 metal duct showing the improvedregulatingvalve-dissposed thereint-iniavmannerto produce the :maximum'throttlinefEeCt-dnthe-fiotv of fiuid-through the duct, theisame beingtakensubstantiallyupon the :plane indicated by the se'otio'n line l' lof Figure22;

Figure 2" is a horizontal sectional "View taken substantiallyupon theplaneindieated by the-section line z zof l igure l; I

'FFigure' B is -avertical transverse s'eotional view takensubstant-ially unonthe plane indicated by the section'line: 3- 3--ofFigure 1 and-illustrating further features of the construction" of-the"con- -tro1 valve in accordance with this invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing-a portion of 'thevalve regulating means;

I'Eigurefi is an elevational view-*ta ken substaniti'allyi fro Ithe-right unsure-=4; and

iFigure e -is a vrtieal transv'is'e sectidnal"View Y 2 takensubstantially upon thekplane indicated-by the section line? 6-6-'ofFigure- 4.

Referring now moreaspecificallyvto theraooompanying: drawings, whereinlike numerals designate similarlparts throughoutithe various views, itwill bet-seen that there has been-disclosed a portion OfJ-a :sheet metalductoonsisting ofsheet metal conduits or; duct-sectionst-t H) whicharedetaohably joined to each other fies lby *jO'ints :12 "of :anydesired 'character,-rthese ssections forming part of any suitableifluiclcirculating-system:such as an air conditioningr'systemor the li-ke.

The purpose of this'inventioniist taprovide'an improved construction Iof f'valveiwvhi'oh I-is speei fically adapted for regulatin theeffective i cross sectional: area- 'ofia isection Ii! in-order tointerpose an adjustable resistance to theJ-flOWLQffiuid therethrough andthus maintain alstatic' head in the system, without however adverselyaffecting :it being-primarily important to avoid creating -itui1bulenceor eddies in the flow offiuid pastthe valve.

Accordingly, the valve forming the; subject of this invention consistsof a-- flexible =-diaphragm or sheet i-e'preferablyof sheet metal or the'like, although any other suitable flexible and pliab1e material may beemployed which is impervious to any fluid flowing? through the d'ucts.

.Assillustrated in "Figure 3, the-'ductseetion 42 is preferablyrectangular in :cross section, '"although "the principles of --'thisinvention are riot limited to any particular tress setional shape ofduct. Referring now to Figure-3, will be seen the numereLl {I 6design'ates {'what may be termed the floor' 'of this duet whih thus;is-"jpro- .vided with side walls l 8 and 2t, and as shownl'in Figure -1,with-a 'top wall 22. The =fiejXible-fdiaphragm or sheet 1 4 is likewisepreferably (rec- -tangular in shape aswill be apparent fromjFib ures 1andZQ'anda'tone-endissecured toithe bottom-wall 1-6 as by-rivets orthelike24,s0 ,fliat what-may-be*termed"thef frontfend of the sheet isfirmly and "fixed y se' rea to. the ibottom w ll of the duct.Preferably, {although notnjecea sarily; theriveted front fe'dgefof thesheet "f4 ils dispose'clsubstantially atthefjoint': l'zfror o vemence inobtaining acqess {to and s rvicing the flexiblesheet-forming the "valvemember.

-At-itsother end, the flexible sheetllf t isprovided with atransverselyEdisposed nernber or portion 28, which niay consistfof anupturn'ed flange at that'endof, thesheet |4, or may oomprise aseparateangle iron member -suitably se- .1 e Thi's'm mb rizii. xienqinet a s-'versely or and aoro'ss "substantially the entire width of the bottomwall 16 of the duct, is provided with lugs to which are secured theextremities of tension springs 32, whose other ends are anchored in lugs34 riveted or otherwise secured to an appropriate portion of the bottomwall l6, as will be readily understood from Figures 1 and 2. Thearrangement is such that normally the tension of the springs 32 servesto urge the flexible and pliable sheet metal member I4 into flatcontinuous engagement with the bottom wall 16, except as the same iselevated as set forth hereinafter.

It will now be seen that when the sheet metal member I4 is flat againstthe bottom wall 15, there is no resistance to the flow of fluid throughthe duct, and the control valve may be considered to be in its fullyopen position. When however it is desired to throttle the flow throughthe duct. the mid portion of the flexible sheet 14 is forcedtransversely of the duct from the bottom wall It towards the top wall 22thereof, as shown in Figure 1, and this transverse movement is permittedby extension of the springs 32.

A vane is provided for selectively and adjustably moving the mid portionof the flexible sheet r 14 from the bottom wall towards the top wall ofthe duct, and across the entire width of the same. This vane, as seenbest from Figures 1 and 3, consists of a rod or shaft framework having abottom rod 36 rotatably secured to the bottom wall l6 as by suitablejournal bearings 38, attached thereto in any desired manner.

The vane further includes arm portions 40 which are connected with theabove mentioned rod 36, and which are in turn engaged by a further rodmember 52 disposed in parallel relation to the rod 36.

Suitable reinforcing rods 44 and 46 serve to connect the rods 42 and 36intermediate their ends to provide a rigid substantially rectangularframework constituting the vane. Journaled upon the rod 42 are sleeves48 upon which are secured a plurality of rollers 58 which may be ofrubber or the like, and which are secured in any desired manner to theexterior surfaces of the sleeves 48.

One end of the shaft 38 extends through the side wall l8 of the duct,while the other end of the shaft is journaled in the other side wall 26as will be apparent from Figure 3. It will now be understood that thevane may be selectively disposed in a'flat position as shown in dottedlines at 52 in Figure 1, at which time the tension of the spring 32 willurge the flexible valve member l4 into its flat position as shown indotted lines at 54 in Figure 1, the valve thus offering the minimumresistance to flow through the duct and being positioned in its fullyopen position therein.

Obviously as the shaft 36 is rotated by means to be subsequentlydescribed, the vane will be rotated about the axis of the shaft 36, andthe rollers will roll against the undersurface of the mid portion of theflexible sheet i4, and thus will selectively elevate the same from thebottom l6 towards the top wall 22 of the duct, until the vane isdisposed perpendicular with respect to the bottom wall It, at which timethe diaphragm or flexible valve member [4 will assume the position shownin Figure 1, and will offer the maximum resistance to flow through theduct. It should be here recognized that by virtue of the flexibility ofthe sheet M, the valve in its fully closed position, while oifering themaximum restriction of flow for the duct, will have smooth andstreamlined surfaces on both the up and downstream side of the valve,thus avoiding the creation of turbulence or eddies currents in the flow,while effectively throttling the duct.

The means for adjusting and regulating the valve are disclosed moreclearly in Figures 3-6. The same includes a suitable supporting bracketor casing 56 secured to the wall 18 of the duct, the shaft 36 extendingthrough and being journaled in this bracket casing. Fixedly secured tothe extending portion of the shaft 36, is a pinion gear 53 which iscontinuously in mesh with a worm gear 68, keyed as at 62 to an adjustingshaft 64 likewise journaled in the bracket casing 56. The adjustingshaft 64 is provided with a bolt head 86 by means of which the same maybe rotated, to thereby rotate the worm gear 50, and where this shaftextends through the other side of the bracket casing, it is providedwith a lock nut 68 by means of the adjusting shaft may be clamped to thecasing in adjusted position.

It will thus be seen that by loosening the nut 63, the bolt head may berotated, thereby rotating the worm gear, and through its engagement withthe pinion 58 causing rotation of the shaft 36, and thereby causingpivotal movement of the vane about the axis of the shaft 36 toadjustably position the mid portion of the flexible valve sheet 14. Whenthe desired adjusted position has been attained, the lock nut will ofcourse be tightened, thereby securing the valve in adjusted position.

In order to adequately determine the extent of adjustment desired andobtained by the device, the extremity of the shaft 36, as indicated atIt, is provided with a finger or pointer 12 which is adapted to moveacross a series of graduated notches 14 having suitable indicia 16,these notches being formed in the edge of an upstanding plate 78,secured as at to the above mentioned housing or bracket casing 56.

In the arrangement as so far described it will now be apparent that whenthe member [4 is moved to the position shown in Figure 1, that thetension of the springs 32 will serve to cause the end of the member tobe disposed in a substantially straight line between the positions ofthe elements 34 and 50. In order to hold the end of the diaphragm ormember l4 against the bottom wall 16, a novel and improved hold downdevice is provided.

This hold down device conveniently and preferably comprises atransversely extending rod or shaft 99 having its ends suitablyjournalled v in the side walls 18 and 20 of the conduit, and

adjacent the bottom wall It thereof, this shaft having a plurality ofrollers such as rubber wheels or the like 22 rotatably journalledthereon, the lower surfaces of these rollers being spaced a slightdistance above the bottom wall 18, as will be apparent from Figure 1, inorder to receive the end of the sheet member M therebetween. The rollersthus serve as antifriction means holding the extremity of the sheet [4downwardly against the bottom wall l6, while permitting relative slidingmovement between the sheet and the bottom wall. A transversely extendingarcuate shield or guard 94 of sheet metal or any other suitable materialis secured between the side walls 13 and 20 in any suitable mannerimmediately above the shaft and the rollers 92 thereon in order toimpart a streamlined eifect' to this extremity of the sheet 14. Thismetallic guard or shield thus serves to minimize turbulence ordisturbance of the air stream flowing through the conduit and over therollers and shaft 92 and 90.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the devicetogether with its many advantages will be readily understood and furtherexplanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerousmodifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the artafter a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanyingdrawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction shown and described, but all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Havingthus disclosed and described the invention, what is claimed as newis as follows:

1. A regulating valve for ducts comprising a pliable sheet, meansfixedly securing one end of said sheet to the wall of a duct, resilientmeans engaging an opposite end of the sheet and yieldingly extendingsaid sheet along said Wall of the duct, operating means engaging saidsheet between said two first mentioned means for moving the mid portionof said sheet transverse said duct to throttle the cross sectional areathereof, said operating means comprising a vane disposed between saidsheet and said wall, said vane being oscillatable to cause saidtransverse movement of said sheet, said vane having rollers journaledthereon for engaging said sheet.

2.'A regulating valve for ducts comprising a pliable sheet, meansfixedly securing one end of said sheet to the wall of a duct, resilientmeans engaging an opposite end of the sheet and yieldingly extendingsaid sheet along said wall of the duct, operating means engaging saidsheet between sa id two first mentioned means for moving the mid portionof said sheet transverse said duct to throttle the cross sectional areathereof, said operating means comprising a vane disposed between saidsheet and said wall, said vane being oscillatable to cause saidtransverse movement of said sheet, said vane including a rocker shaft 6extending transverse the the walls thereof.

3. A regulating valve for ducts comprising a pliable sheet, meansfixedly securing one end of said sheet to the wall of a duct, resilientmeans engaging an opposite end of the sheet and yieldingly extendingsaid sheet along said wall of the duct, operating means engaging saidsheet between said two first mentioned means for moving the mid portionof said sheet transverse said duct to throttle the cross sectional areathereof, said operating means comprising a vane disposed between saidsheet and said wall, said vane being oscillatable to cause saidtransverse movement of said sheet, said vane including a rocker shaftextending transverse the duct and journaled in the walls thereof, meansfor oscillating said shaft comprising a pinion gear secured thereto, aworm gear meshing with said pinion and means for locking said worm inadjusted positions.

4. A flow restrictor for ducts having top, bottom and side wallscomprising a pliable sheet fixedly attached at one end to said bottomwalls and having its other end retained for sliding movement upon saidbottom wall, operating means engaging said sheet between its ends formoving the mid-portion of said sheet toward said top wall for throttlingthe cross sectional area of said duct, said operating means comprising avane, means mounting said vane between said sheet and bottom wall foroscillation about an axis extending transversely between said sidewalls.

duct and journaled in REVILO E. BAILEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

